POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13845, 3 September 1908, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

A STRANGE CASE. THE "DISAPPEARING NOTE. BEfoitE Mr. 0. 0. Kettle, '.S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, a middle-aged man named William Clarke, who described himself as a riveter's labourer, was charged with stealing £1 belonging to Messrs. Ross, and Glendining. Chief-Detective Marsack, who appeared for the prosecution, stated that Clarke entered Messrs. Ross and «lendining' B warehouse in Elliott-street and purchased a suit length for 12s, putting down a £1 note in payment. While the assistant was getting the change the note disappeared, and Clarke, having been given the change, commenced to leave the warehouse. It was then discovered that the £1 note was missing, and accused was called back. Upon being pressed he throw down the purchased parcel and the change and said that he had don* with it. As the cloth length was cut, and therefore of no use to the warehouse, the attendant demurred, and then called in thft manager, who in turn sent for the police. Clarke was arrested, and when searched a £1 note and a few shillings were found on him. Evidence was called to this effect. Clarke denied the charge, 'saying that when he entered the building he had two £1 notes with him, and he put one down on the counter in payment for the cloth. He could not account, for it going astray— sibly it had been lost in some of the numerous pieces of cloth which were on the bench at the time. His Worship said that the evidence raised the strongest* suspicion against the accused, hut it was not sufficient to prove the charge. There was still the possibility that the note wai lying among tho material about the counter. V], do not, say that you are innocent. added His Worship, addressing Clarke, "but. the proof against you is not •uihcient. You are discharged." •A DISGRACE TO THE COUNTRY." James Downey, a middle-aged man, who had pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of having acted in a disorderly manner in Victoria- on Saturday, and further to procuring liquor while prohibited and being found on the licensed premises of the Victoria Hotel, was again brought before Mr. Kettle on remand. Sub-Inspect tor Gordon said that the necessary inquiries had been made, and he then called an officer from the local Labour ; Bureau, who stated that Downey had been ' seat away to work on two occasions, but he had never reached that destination which the Department intended him for. In neither instance had he refunded the money for his train fare. Mr. Kettle (to accused): Is that the sort of • i maw you arc? Accused: Give me a chance, Your Worship, and I shall go right away to the country. Mr. Kettle: No; I shall not give you a chance. You ought to be charged with be- , ing an idle and disorderly person. You- ; j have jjist come out of goal after serving 12 ■ months for vagrancy. Were you born in New Zealand? ! fr ; Accused : Yes. Mr. Kettleell, you are a disgrace to "the country. ■: % , His Worship fined the accused £1, or in i default seven days' imprisonment on each :'|.; charge. ' , . COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. A young man named Bertie Lyons was committed! to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of having stofclen from the dwelJ ling of Amy Klaer, at Whangarei, jewellery I and money to the value" of £25. Chief-De-p tective Marsack appeared for the prosecuH tion, and called evidence to- show that ac- , cused had been temporarily employed by .: the complainant's husband, who " ran" a ■ variety company. It was alleged that on >/ J'ane 6 he entered the tent and stole the v>- goods in question from a bos. Subsequently V one of the missing pieces of jewellery waa found in an Auckland pawnshop. # . ALLEGED MURDER. •' Louie Shue Hock, a Chinese, charged witih ; murdering his fellow-countryman, Yonj? \* : Moag Chee, at Mount Roskiß. OU..August 5, was again remanded until to-day. MISCELLANEOUS. .:]■' The private auk case, in which Frederick Taylor and Frederick Wade are charging George Ogden with using threatening behaviour towards them, was adjourned until to-day after the major portion of the evidence had been taken. The complainants, who are represented by Mr. J. R. Lundcn, also pray that the defendant, for whom Mr. ,R,McVeagh is appearing, may be bound V over to keep the peace towards them. Jamei Fa hey waa fined 28s, or in default ; ''', 48; hours' imprisonment, for his second offence for drunkenness within six months, ; while Charles O'Connor, fanother second , of- , fender, was fined half that amount, with the same alternative. Two first offenders were fined Si, with the usual alternative.